St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-29
A DISGRACE TO THE FORCE.
Patrolman Elliott Gets Drunk and Gre
ates a Sensation.
HE FIRES OFF HIS REVOLVER
And Tries to Pick a Quarrel With Pa
irolmen Allen and Gustafson.

police headquarters in Minneapolis, last
night Patrolman nj. ID. Elliott did not
respond to his name, but no surprise
was expressed by the officer, and
another man was detailed to go on
Elliott's beat. 1t leaked out shortly
after that the patrolman in question had
been suspended by his superior Off
GERS to await the action of the pO-
lice commission. The charge against
him is drunkenness and conduct unbe-
coming an officer and a gentleman. 1t
seems that when Elliott went on duty
Monday night he had been drinking a
little, but not enough to effect him par
ticularly. AS the night wore on he left
his beat, went to saloon and
proceeded to get most glori-
ously drunk. About midnight, while
on the corner of Sixth street
and Fifth avenue south, he imagined
that he might create small amount
of amusement by firing off his
revolver. He pulled it from his pocket
and holding it on level with his face
fired five shots, sending two bullets
Maloney's residence. This satisfied
him here and he started off up the
street, waving his revolver and singing
wildly. This interesting exercise
he kept up until about 8 o'clock
in the morning, when his eagle eye
lighted on one John Sallerund, who was
on his way home, somewhat under the
influence OF liquor, it is true, but still
about twenty-five times more sober than
the patrolman. Elliott staggered up to
Sallerund, thrust his revolver in
his face and ordered him to sur
render, at the same time draw
ing his club and fiourishing
it around his head. Considering it
useless to argue with drunken man,
Sallerund Signified his willingness to
accompany his captor to the lookup,
and away the pair started, Elliott hold
ing in his hands his revolver and his
club. On the corner of Sixth street and
Nicollet avenue Elliott ran UP against
PatrOlman James Allen, and after try
ing in vain to pick a fight with him, con-
tinued on his way down the avenue.
Patr0lman GuStafSon was at the cor
ner of Washington and NicOllet, and as
Elliott and Salerund approached thought
that some one was trying to escape
from an officer. He went to them, and
then seeing the true condition Of affairs
advised Elliott to put up his gun.
piled Elliott, as he tiourished his re-
used language too filthy for publication.
All three started for the lookup, and at
the alley met PatrOiman McNulty.
Again Elicit called GustafsOn vile
name, and would have received
a just punishment at the hands
of that officer had not Nc
Nulty interfered. Arriving at the
station, Elliott threw open the door, and
waving his club and revolver ushered
his now almost sober prisoner into the
presence of Sergt. Leonard and Jailor
Kennedy. For moment there was a
deep quiet. Then Elliott staggered
toward the jailor, handed him his club
and made jump at Sallerund. He was
taken off, and attempting to step toward
a chair, slipped and fell all in heap.
At first it was supposed he had gone
crazy, but the smell of whisky soon re-
vealed the truth, and Sergt. Leonard,
after telling him that he would have to
prefer charges against him, ordered him
home. Elliott started Off. still retaining
his club and revolver, and about 3:45
Patrolman MeNulty found him sitting
on the steps of boarding house on First
avenue south near Fourth street. Elliott
claimed he was watching for burglars.
but left when ordered home by Nc
Nulty. He next stopped in front of the
boarding house on First avenue, near
Fifth street, and was pounding on the
steps with his club when McNulty
again overlook him. Elliott was then
crazy drunk, and McNulty, seeing that
he had his revolver in his hand, at
tempted to secure it, but found that it
was empty, and learning that the
drunken officer had no cartridges with
him, left it i'll Elliott's possession. He
showed Elliott the damage he was do
ing himself, and again ordered him
home, saying if he did not GO he would
arrest him and put him i'll the station.
This seemed to arouse Elliott some
what, and after gaining his bearings he
staggered on up the avenue. But it
seems that he was not able to go far, for
when at Eleventh street he walked up
onto porch, and lying down, qsing his
club as pillow, went to sleep. Here he
remained until almost broad day light,
when the cold aroused him. Getting on
his feet he began to sing, swear and
laugh alternately, and finally went
away, leaving his club behind. He put
in an appearance at headquarters yes
terday, but was informed that his
services were not needed. The case
will be laid before the commission.
Elliott, previous to his appointment
on the police force, was the manager of
a SO-ealled private detective" agency,
and got himself up as much like dime
novel detective as possible. He was
appointed some months ago by the COM
mission, shortly after he had distin-
guished himself ON the East Side one
night by getting drunk, pulling man
out of a saloon and claiming to be de-
tective, placing him under arrest for no
reason. 1t was claimed at the time that
| he tried to hold the man UP. but the
charge was not sustained.